Tag Archives: Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Islamabad, March 19, 2014 (PPI-OT): A delegation of local industrialists visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and highlighting their issues have appealed to the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to intervene for resolving Industrial areas problems.

Addressing the delegation, Muhammad Ali Miraz, Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that CDA should change and upgrade its building byelaws to cater to the current day’s requirements of industry.

He said there is a great shortage of space for new industries in Islamabad while I-9 and I-10 Industrial Estates have been surrounded by the residential areas. Therefore, CDA should allow construction of multi-storey buildings on industrial plots to cater to the needs of new investors and also open all trades except for negative list.

Muhammad Ali Mirza said the policy of creating harassment in industrialists should be done away with and suggested that CDA should make a new policy to allow all trades except for negative list on receipt of a reasonable fee. It will not only promote business and industrial activities in Islamabad, it will also generate sufficient additional revenue for the civic body.

He lauded the business friendly policies of the present government and added that in light of growing Pak-China business relations, urgent measures should be taken to improve the condition and resolve the problems of industrial areas to attract Chinese investment in this region.

Islamabad, March 14, 2014 (PPI-OT): The commercial centers in the federal capital are being ignored since long for development and upgradation as per current day needs due to which problems for traders have increased manifold and CDA should constitute a task force headed by its Member Engineering Mr. Sanaullah Aman and comprising representatives of ICCI and Traders Action Committee to resolve business community problems and monitor the pace of development works to ensure their timely completion.

This was said by Khalid Chaudhry, Acting President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry while talking to a delegation of Traders Welfare Association, G-10/4, Islamabad that visited ICCI led by its President Asif Ali.

He said CDA had established an Inter-City Adda in G-10/4 near Islamabad High Court by spending millions of rupees and its auction was also done, but it has not been made functional as yet. He said CDA should take measures to make this facility functional as it will not only facilitate transporters, it will also generate lot of revenue for the civic body.

Khalid Chaudhry said due to non-availability of bridge, G-10/4 Market is divided in two parts, which is problematic for the people. He said CDA should arrange early construction of bridge to connect the split market and improve basic infrastructure in this area. He said though CDA is facing financial constraints, however, its new Chairman and Members are capable enough to bring the department out of financial crunch.

Speaking at the occasion, Asif Ali, President, Traders Welfare Association, G-10/4, Islamabad highlighted various issues of the trading community. He said absence of rent control act in Islamabad, residential facility, especially for small traders and lack of proper development in markets are the major issues that need urgent attention of the CDA. He said CDA should hand over the filtration plants to market union for their proper upkeep and maintenance as due to lack of maintenance, many such plants have gone non-functional.

He appreciated the initiative of ICCI for inviting trade bodies of markets to improve liaison and to know about their problems. He said ICCI support and cooperation with trade bodies is very important to resolve traders’ problems. Khalid Mian President ICT Chamber of Small Traders, Syed Adil Anis, Irfan Chaudhry, Ashfaq Chatta, Naveed Malik, Musharraf Janjua and Haji Salahuddin Awan also spoke at the occasion.

Islamabad, March 13, 2014 (PPI-OT): Millions of people daily commute between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, but are facing great difficulties in travelling due to lack of mass transport facility. In these circumstances Metro Bus facility would prove a gift from the government for the commuters of twin cities. This was said by Khalid Chaudhry, Acting President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry while addressing a meeting of representatives of various markets.

He lauded the cooperation and support of CDA for execution of this important project and hoped that soon the Metro Bus Directorate will be set up to speed up its work.

Khalid Chaudhry said some vested interests are opposing Metro Bus project on the pretext that it would damage the green areas. He said keeping in view the great importance of this project to facilitate the commuters, all should extend full support for this project, which is aimed at the larger public interest. He said these vested interests are raising no voice against the growth of illegal Kechi Abadees in Islamabad, but it is unfortunate that they are opposing a project which would prove highly beneficial to the general public.

ICCI Acting President said that a large number of commuters come from Pir Wadhai via 9th Avenue to Pak Secretariat, therefore the route of Metro Bus needed to be rearranged to facilitate them as well. For this purpose, Metro Bus should go from Tarnol to Pak Secretariat covering G-9 and Peshawar More, Margalla Road and F-10 to Pak Secretariat. He appealed to Chairman CDA Mr. Maroof Afzal and CDA Board that they should ensure early completion of Kashmir Highway to facilitate the commuters.

Islamabad, March 04, 2014 (PPI-OT): Mexico is taking greater interest in this part of the world and wants to further strengthen and diversify trade and economic relations with Pakistan for the mutual benefit of two countries as well as for enhanced regional access. This was said by H.E. Mr. Ulises Canchola Gutierrez, Ambassador of Mexico to Pakistan while addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He said Mexico and Pakistan have good prospects for improving trade and exports and businessmen of both countries should be encouraged to take more initiatives for tapping all untapped areas of mutual cooperation. He said Mexican entrepreneurs are interested to know about Pakistan’s business procedures for setting up new businesses and potential areas of investment in Pakistan.

He said Mexican economy is improving and diversifying due to which many expatriates are coming back to Mexico. It is good time that Pakistani businessmen should also explore Mexico for business opportunities.

He said the purpose of his visit to ICCI was to identify potential areas of bilateral cooperation so that his Embassy could invite a business delegation of Mexico to Pakistan for exploring business and investment opportunities. He assured that he will keep promoting trade relations between Mexico and Pakistan through strong liaison with local Chambers of Commerce.

Speaking at the occasion, Shaban Khalid, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Pak-Mexico bilateral trade of about $200 million per annum does not reflect true potential and both countries have great potential to improve trade and broaden cooperation in multiple areas.

He said our trade is quite narrow as Pakistan exports to Mexico some traditional goods such as textiles, garments, rice, surgical equipment, sports equipment and clothing while Mexico exports to Pakistan iron and steel products, wood pulp, capital goods and agricultural products. Both countries should make efforts to diversify bilateral trade by focusing on non-traditional items. He said Pakistani Halal food, Guar, fruits and other items have good export potential to Mexico.

Shaban Khalid said strong trade relations would provide enhanced regional access to both countries as Pakistan is a gateway for Central Asia and Mexico could provide Pakistan better access to North American countries. He said all major sectors of Pakistan’s economy including energy, agriculture, manufacturing, services etc. are open for foreign investment and time is ripe for Mexican investors to look at Pakistan as a prospective country for lucrative investment.

He added our textile industry should look into the possibility of setting up manufacturing units in Mexico and make use of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) to get access the entire North American market including USA and Canada for duty free export of textile products. He also added that the labor rates in Mexico are relatively economical, which is an added advantage for investors.

He said both countries should focus on frequent exchange of trade delegations to explore all untapped areas for trade, joint ventures and investment. Mexico should send a sector-specific business delegation to Pakistan and ICCI would extend all possible cooperation making its visit productive and result-oriented.

Islamabad, February 27, 2014 (PPI-OT): A 23-member delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs led by Mr. Cen Hongkai, Deputy Secretary General of Zhongshan Municipal People’s Government visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry to hold B2B meetings, explore business matchmakings, strengthen economic cooperation and promote trade and investment with Pakistan.

The delegation was representing enterprises of trade, building materials, home appliances, lighting, machine and equipment and project contracting etc. Representatives of Board of Investment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Development of Authority were also present at the occasion.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Cen Hongkai, head of Chinese delegation said that Pakistan and China have huge potential to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation and complement economies of each other.

He said Pakistan has made attractive investment policies which provide lot of investment opportunities to Chinese investors. He said Pakistan is an important country in South Asia offering good business prospects which has prompted Chinese entrepreneurs to come and explore Pakistani market for business matchmaking, joint ventures and investment.

He said recent visits of Prime Minister and President of Pakistan to China and signing of MoUs of cooperation in various fields truly reflects the keen urge of the leadership of both countries to further strengthen and deepen bilateral relations.

Highlighting the economic potential of Zhongshan City, he said after 30 years of reforms and opening up, the city has fostered 23 industrial clusters in the fields of home appliances, hardware, lighting and casual wear etc. Zhongshan’s GDP in 2013 reached US$ 44.51 billion with exports of US$ 35.63 billion and outbound investment of US$ 422 million.

18 Fortune Global 500 corporations have set up 26 enterprises in Zhongshan, which shows its rising economy and huge business potential. He said Pakistani investors should visit Zhongshan City and join hands with Chinese counterparts for economic prosperity of both countries.

Addressing the delegation, Shaban Khalid, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) said that Pakistan feels proud of its historical and time-tested friendship with China. He said Pakistani people have great regard and respect for Chinese government and people.

He said being located at a strategic location, Pakistan offers tremendous opportunities of foreign investment in all major sectors of its economy including energy, exploration of mineral resources, oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture and services sectors etc.

He said many Chinese companies are already working in Pakistan and rendering valuable contribution in infrastructure development, energy and other projects. He emphasized that more Chinese investors should come to Pakistan as lot of positive things are happening in Pakistan.

Pak-China Economic Corridor and grant of GSP Plus status to Pakistan by the European Union have created lot of new opportunities for local and foreign investors. It is high time that Chinese investors should set up joint ventures and make direct investment in areas of interest in Pakistan.

Shaban Khalid said Pakistan and China have signed a Free Trade Agreement and entrepreneurs of both countries should take more initiatives to fully exploit this facility for promoting bilateral trade. He assured that ICCI would provide all possible cooperation in bringing Pak-China private sectors even closer for further promoting bilateral trade and economic relations.

Islamabad, February 24, 2014 (PPI-OT): A 30 member delegation of Traders Welfare Association, G-10 Markaz, Islamabad led by its President Rana Abdul Qadeer visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and highlighted various CDA related issues for redress.

Congratulating the newly elected Office Bearers of G-10 Markaz, Shaban Khalid, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the new Management of CDA has come with a positive approach and hopefully the civic body in collaboration with ICCI will take necessary measures to address important issues of the local traders to enable a favorable business environment in the city.

He said recently, Member Environment CDA Mr. Sanaullah Aman during visit to G-10 Markaz, Islamabad had announced to resolve many problems of local traders for which the process has been started. He said with such positive mindset of CDA officers, all problems of traders and citizens could be resolved soon.

He said due to the prevailing state of affairs in the country, it is high time that business community should get united at a single platform to promote their business interests. He said ICCI fully understands the problems being faced by the local traders and the same will be taken up with relevant authorities for redress.

Khalid Chaudhry, Senior Vice President ICCI and Secretary Information, Traders Action Committee, Islamabad said that traders played key role in the development of Islamabad, but are themselves facing residential problems as many of them are compelled to live in their shops. He reaffirmed that with the cooperation of Traders Associations, all efforts would be made to resolve the residential issues, especially of small traders.

Speaking at the occasion, Rana Abdul Qadeer, President, Traders Welfare Association, G-10 Markaz, Islamabad highlighted various issues being faced by the local traders. He said CDA has been paying no attention to developmental works in G-10 Markaz, Islamabad since long due to which the condition of basic infrastructures including footpaths, street lights, parking lots etc. have deteriorated.

He said if this trend continued, traders would face more problems in running businesses. He said ICCI is the premier representative body of businessmen in this region and they need its cooperation for resolution of their problems. He said our Association would like to work closely with ICCI and Traders Action Committee, Islamabad for serving the cause of local traders.